Visitor restrictions

As part of our continued actions to protect our patients from COVID-19 (coronavirus) and keep the hospital running, we are asking the public to limit visiting and to consider other ways of keeping in touch, like phone calls.

We are happy for patients to be contacted by mobile phone and our free Wi-Fi service allows the use of Skype, Facetime and other similar services. Many patients are also able to make use of the Hospedia service which is free to call UK landlines and gives two minutes free to UK mobiles.. 

Visitors must be immediate family members or carers.

Visitors should not visit any area of the hospital if they are:

• unwell, especially if they have a high temperature or a new, persistent cough
• vulnerable as a result of their medication, a chronic illness or they are over 70 years of age.

Visitors are limited to one per patient unless:

• the visitor needs to be accompanied – accompanying visitors should not stay in any patient, ward or communal areas, and this applies to inpatient and outpatient settings
• The visitor is supporting someone with a mental health issue such as dementia, a learning disability or autism, where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed.

No children should be visiting without the ward sister or the nurse in charge's explicit prior permission.

Visitors should follow social distancing guidance and keep the time spent in the hospital to a minimum, please go directly to the area you are visiting and do not visit other areas of the hospital.

Upon entering the ward, visitors will be directed to wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds. And we would ask visitors to do the same on leaving the ward and follow all other guidance given by our staff.

Visiting patients being tested for or diagnosed with Coronavirus (COVID-19)

If visiting a patient who has been tested for Coronavirus (COVID-19) visitors must follow all guidance from ward staff.

• Only one visitor is allowed
• Visitors should wash their hands for 20 seconds and then immediately leave the hospital site as directly as possible.  Please DO NOT visit any other areas.

Sarum Children's Ward (Paediatrics)

• Only one adult visitor is allowed

Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre

• Currently visiting is prohibited. 

Visitors to the Labour Ward

• Only one birthing partner can accompany a women in labour

• To reduce footfall through the hospital women are asked to attend ultrasound scans unaccompanied. The exception is one other adult can attend the 20 week anomaly ultrasound. More information here

Attending Accident & Emergency

• Please keep the numbers accompanying someone to A&E to an absolute minimum
• If using A&E for respiratory assessment (suspected Coronavirus) try not to bring any members of your household or children with you

Dropping someone off at the hospital

When dropping off a friend or relative for an appointment at the hospital visitors are encouraged to remain in the car unless accompanying the patient is absolutely essential. This is to reduce footfall through the hospital and protect patients, staff and visitors. However, visitors are welcome to come in to the Main Entrance of the hospital to purchase refreshments from WHSmith or the Coffee House, but we would ask them to refrain from entering any further into the hospital and return to their car.

Springs Restaurant & Hedgerows Café

The restaurant and café are now only available to Salisbury District Hospital pass holders– no public are allowed. This is to prioritise availability of meals to our staff and to reduce public footfall in the hospital. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Vending machines offering hot and cold beverages and a range of snacks are located on levels 3 and 4 of the main hospital building and directly outside of the Day Surgery Unit. These will continue to be available to both staff and visitors.

We ask for the public’s help in respecting these rules.